A complaint filed Friday by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights is asking the federal government to step in and prohibit the use of American Indian mascots and imagery in K-12 schools across the state.

The department filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. The complaint cites 35 Michigan K-12 school districts — including Clinton and Tecumseh — responsible for “alleged discrimination.”

The schools are known as the Clinton Redskins and the Tecumseh Indians.

The complaint says research now shows the use of those mascots and imagery causes “actual harm” to American Indian students by lowering self-esteem and impacting student achievement.

According to an email sent by the state to Clinton and Tecumseh school officials, the districts are among those named because they are “currently using such imagery and, as such, would be impacted by any action OCR might take.”

Leslee Fritz, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, said Friday a study conducted by its legal team shows “there is now substantial amounts of evidence that American Indian imagery use and continued use is harming students and therefore in violation of federal law.”

Fritz said the complaint does not mean the school districts named are deliberately committing wrongdoing.

“We are not accusing any school district of inappropriate intent or behavior,” she said. “We are hopeful the more school districts study the evidence that is growing, that they will agree to change their imagery.”

The complaint only includes K-12 schools at this time, Fritz said, and not colleges and universities using similar imagery.

“K-12 is where the impact is more acute,” she said.

Clinton Community Schools Superintendent David Pray said Friday the district is conferring with its attorney on the complaint and declined comment.

Tecumseh Public Schools Superintendent Mike McAran said the school district has always worked to ensure its mascot is an appropriate tribute to the Native American culture.

“About 15 years ago, we worked to put the correct features on our mascot and adjusted the feathers, got rid of the hatchet, to come to an agreement at that time,” McAran said.

In November, a statue of Shawnee warrior and leader Tecumseh was dedicated in front of Tecumseh Middle School. Members of the Leh Nah Weh Native American Organization conducted the ceremony.

“Tecumseh is a tribute to the Native American culture,” McAran said. “Our town is named for Tecumseh, and we have Indian names on our street signs. The community has always been satisfied with our representation.”

A telephone message left for Leh Nah Weh President Abel Cooper Friday was not immediately returned.

Page 2 of 2 - Other nearby school districts named in the complaint are Camden-Frontier in Hillsdale County and Grass Lake in Jackson County.